A new floating dock will be constructed in the Wateree River on the Lugoff side of the U.S. 1 bridge after funding for the project was unanimously approved by Kershaw County Council at its meeting Tuesday.

Sometimes it's an easy formula when running for political office. Tell people what they want to hear and reap the rewards. At one time, that formula was working perfectly for former S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford. He knew how to send a political message and how to make people listen.

As an Atlanta Hawks fan, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that new team owner Alex Meruelo stays busy diving into the details of his recent purchase as pro basketball deals with what in all likelihood will be a long and combative player lockout.

When Kershaw County Council signed a deal in 2007 with Progress Energy to construct an empty, ready-to-use shell building on Black River Road, the intention was to attract new business to the county and pay off the project's cost of $400,000 by Aug. 30, 2010.

Republicans in South Carolina may soon be in line for a love affair with Texas Gov. Rick Perry. That is, if he decides to run for president. So why would South Carolina voters like him? Well, for one, he's not Mitt Romney. Perry is a cotton farmer's son who speaks with a ton of Texas twang, while Romney is an Ivy League-educated "Yankee" from Massachusetts.

Funeral services for Wilburn Hazel Baker, 80, of Camden, will be held Friday at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, with burial to follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The Rev. Wayne Flowers will officiate. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Powers Funeral Home, Lugoff. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mt. Olivet Baptist Church.

Kershaw County plants, fruits and vegetables will get their proverbial place in the sun this month as the city of Camden and Kershaw County have proclaimed August as "Farmers Market Month." The announcement coincides with Gov. Nikki Haley's similar recognition of "Farmers Market Month" across the state.

The Master Gardeners of Kershaw County honored past and present members at a tree dedication Aug. 1 on the grounds of the Camden Archives and Museum. Camden Mayor Jeffrey Graham thanked the Master Gardeners on behalf of Camden City Council at the ceremony.